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Adding Columns automatically / Dynamically to Inspection Reports

Question asked by Nick Tzallas on Apr 16, 2019
Latest reply on Apr 28, 2019 by Nick Tzallas

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I am trying to make my inspection reports be able to automatically add extra "results/measurement" Columns as desired.

Question applies to both Add-in or standalone

For example 1 piece inspected will have 1 column

3 pieces inspected would automatically add 2 more columns in the report to bring it to a total of 3 so each characteristic can be measured/inspected for each piece/serial in the lot/batch

I have come across this post in the forum which seems to imply that it is supposed to be possible, though I am not sure if it is related as the discussion was not elaborated upon. see extracted quote below

Hi Marko,
Normally Inspection automatically "insert" a new column for the next set of results WITHOUT overwritten anything.
Could you attach your template?
Thanks,
Matt

Matthieu Fourcade if you have any insight on this that would be appreciated.

Below is a very rough mock-up of what I would like it to do.

Example shows report for a 1 piece inspection and then a 3 piece inspection

Currently we are using SW 2016 SP 5.0

We are soon upgrading to 2019 (and going to PDM pro)

Just mentioning it in case the solution is based on a capability of a later version of the software. (though I could not find anything in the help files)

I realize Inspection might have come a long way since 2016

Thank you

Message was edited by: Nick Tzallas - Spelling corrections

Alessandro Tornincasa

Apr 25, 2019 2:04 AM

Correct Answer

Hi Nick,

I believe what you're asking for is not possibile in the addin since there's no way to specify measurement results.

Your idea is interesting, I would suggest you to open an enhancement request following this process:

SOLIDWORKS Tech Tips – How to submit an Enhancement Request - YouTube

There would be a couple of ways to accomplish your goal:

1. Export the Inspection project to standalone application, and if you have Inspection professional input measurement results, and then create the report using the AS9102 - MXpert template

2. Create an Excel macro that would add specified number of columns in a certain location

3. As Matt suggested create a number of Excel templates with pre-defined fields (a template for 3 inspected pieces, one for 4 pieces, one for 5, etc.)

Hope this helps.

Alessandro

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Alessandro Tornincasa

Apr 18, 2019 12:19 PM

Hi Nick,

there is a template called "AS9102 - MXpert.xlt" that already has that behaviour.

It's located in C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS Inspection 2019 Standalone\Templates.

If you edit the template in SOLIDWORKS Inspection you can have a look at tokens that are used for that column (measurement results) and possibily replicate them in your template.

Alessandro Tornincasa

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Nick Tzallas @ Alessandro Tornincasa on Apr 22, 2019 1:25 AM

Alessandro,

thank you for the feedback. Some points/questions below:

Seems like if this functionality is indeed available, it is only in Inspection Standalone, is that correct ? (since AS9102-MXpert only appears there, plus the particular token in the results field is standalone specific).
That said I cannot see any indication of the auto-inserted column feature in the token nor in the Name manager that hints at that functionality (see below images ). IXfooter row is there of course to auto-inserts rows, but there is no indication of a similar syntax for auto-inserting columns. Would it be possible to share a screenshot of what you meant?
I tried created a random project in the standalone and exported to AS9102-MXpert, however I could not find any place in the settings/properties that would let me define the "Quantity inspected" number in order to make the columns be added. eg: somewhere to type in "3" and get 3 result columns generated in the Excel template.

I might be missing something obvious, if you could please clarify how all this would be done that would be great.

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Mathieu Fourcade

Apr 23, 2019 10:25 AM

Hi!

Just to add some information.

The formatting of the document (columns, font, etc.) is handled by the EXCEL template.

If you want to had a column, you need to add it in the EXCEL xlt template.

The tokens are there to indicate where to display information contained in your inspection project. Therefore, because measurement are only available in the standalone (assuming you have inspection pro), you can have the columns in both the addin and standalone template, but it will only get filled automatically if you are using the standalone ...

Best,

Matt

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Nick Tzallas @ Mathieu Fourcade on Apr 24, 2019 3:58 AM

Matthieu Fourcade Thanks for the feedback, what you say that makes sense.

However it does not really answer my question.

Excel Formatting or data input/import is not my issue at the moment.

Apologies if I am repeating myself, it is just cumbersome to convey.

Yes, as you mentioned, if you want measurement values to auto-populate/fill the column, that would only work in Standalone. Fair enough.

So, what I cannot find is how to auto-insert extra columns based on the quantity of the lot inspected.

If I inspect a lot of 3 identical rings from the same lot, I would like to be able to to type "3" somewhere and for the excel export to automatically create 3 measurement/results input columns. If 10, then 10 columns etc.

I am quite confused because one implies it is possible and your latest comment implies it is not.

Quote extracted from here

Hi Marko,
Normally Inspection automatically "insert" a new column for the next set of results WITHOUT overwritten anything.
Could you attach your template?
Thanks,
Matt

Quote from your above reply

Matthieu Fourcade wrote:
If you want to had a column, you need to add it in the EXCEL xlt template.

I would like to know definitively:

Can you make the software auto-add extra columns? (I don't mind if its only in standalone or Add-in, just want to find out if it is possible)

Like XFooterRow......is there for example a "IXBorderColumn" equivalent?

Thanks again and appreciate any clarification. Having a hard time figuring this one out

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Alessandro Tornincasa

@ Nick Tzallas on Apr 25, 2019 2:04 AM

Hi Nick,

I believe what you're asking for is not possibile in the addin since there's no way to specify measurement results.

Your idea is interesting, I would suggest you to open an enhancement request following this process:

SOLIDWORKS Tech Tips – How to submit an Enhancement Request - YouTube

There would be a couple of ways to accomplish your goal:

1. Export the Inspection project to standalone application, and if you have Inspection professional input measurement results, and then create the report using the AS9102 - MXpert template

2. Create an Excel macro that would add specified number of columns in a certain location

3. As Matt suggested create a number of Excel templates with pre-defined fields (a template for 3 inspected pieces, one for 4 pieces, one for 5, etc.)

Hope this helps.

Alessandro

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Nick Tzallas @ Alessandro Tornincasa on Apr 25, 2019 2:31 AM

Thanks Alessandro TORNINCASA

Enhancement request has been created

1-21045205838

I will just standby for Matthieu Fourcade feedback as well to confirm and then mark the correct answer

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Mathieu Fourcade

@ Nick Tzallas on Apr 26, 2019 4:34 PM

What you could do is:

have a custom property: number of lots

Display that value somewhere in excel

have a macro in excel to create columns based on this value

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Nick Tzallas @ Mathieu Fourcade on Apr 28, 2019 6:40 AM

Ok, So just to clarify , this would mean adding an extra step.

As I understand it, SW Inspection does not recognise Macro-enabled templates (.xltm), only 97-2003 Templates (.xlt) for report exports

This would mean:

Generate your inspection report as usual via inspection Standalone or Add-in
Save the generated report as macro enabled excel (.xlsm)
Add and run the macro to add x columns as per custom property "number of lots"
Save to your final location and/or send to concerned party

So there is no current way to do this all at once, whilst generating the inspection report.

Also this would need to be done after any possible update or re-generation/re-exporting of the report.

Thank you for the clarification.

Actions

8 Replies

Alessandro Tornincasa Apr 18, 2019 12:19 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Hi Nick,
there is a template called "AS9102 - MXpert.xlt" that already has that behaviour.
It's located in C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS Inspection 2019 Standalone\Templates.
If you edit the template in SOLIDWORKS Inspection you can have a look at tokens that are used for that column (measurement results) and possibily replicate them in your template.

Alessandro Tornincasa
Like • Show 2 Likes2
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- Nick Tzallas @ Alessandro Tornincasa on Apr 22, 2019 1:25 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Alessandro,
  
  thank you for the feedback. Some points/questions below:
  
  Seems like if this functionality is indeed available, it is only in Inspection Standalone, is that correct ? (since AS9102-MXpert only appears there, plus the particular token in the results field is standalone specific).
  That said I cannot see any indication of the auto-inserted column feature in the token nor in the Name manager that hints at that functionality (see below images ). IXfooter row is there of course to auto-inserts rows, but there is no indication of a similar syntax for auto-inserting columns. Would it be possible to share a screenshot of what you meant?
  I tried created a random project in the standalone and exported to AS9102-MXpert, however I could not find any place in the settings/properties that would let me define the "Quantity inspected" number in order to make the columns be added. eg: somewhere to type in "3" and get 3 result columns generated in the Excel template.
  
  I might be missing something obvious, if you could please clarify how all this would be done that would be great.
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
Mathieu Fourcade Apr 23, 2019 10:25 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Hi!

Just to add some information.
The formatting of the document (columns, font, etc.) is handled by the EXCEL template.
If you want to had a column, you need to add it in the EXCEL xlt template.
The tokens are there to indicate where to display information contained in your inspection project. Therefore, because measurement are only available in the standalone (assuming you have inspection pro), you can have the columns in both the addin and standalone template, but it will only get filled automatically if you are using the standalone ...

Best,

Matt
Like • Show 2 Likes2
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- Nick Tzallas @ Mathieu Fourcade on Apr 24, 2019 3:58 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Matthieu Fourcade Thanks for the feedback, what you say that makes sense.
  
  However it does not really answer my question.
  Excel Formatting or data input/import is not my issue at the moment.
  
  Apologies if I am repeating myself, it is just cumbersome to convey.
  Yes, as you mentioned, if you want measurement values to auto-populate/fill the column, that would only work in Standalone. Fair enough.
  
  So, what I cannot find is how to auto-insert extra columns based on the quantity of the lot inspected.
  
  If I inspect a lot of 3 identical rings from the same lot, I would like to be able to to type "3" somewhere and for the excel export to automatically create 3 measurement/results input columns. If 10, then 10 columns etc.
  
  I am quite confused because one implies it is possible and your latest comment implies it is not.
  
  Quote extracted from here
  Hi Marko,
  Normally Inspection automatically "insert" a new column for the next set of results WITHOUT overwritten anything.
  Could you attach your template?
  Thanks,
  Matt
  Quote from your above reply
  Matthieu Fourcade wrote:
  If you want to had a column, you need to add it in the EXCEL xlt template.
  
  I would like to know definitively:
  Can you make the software auto-add extra columns? (I don't mind if its only in standalone or Add-in, just want to find out if it is possible)
  Like XFooterRow......is there for example a "IXBorderColumn" equivalent?
  
  Thanks again and appreciate any clarification. Having a hard time figuring this one out
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
  - Alessandro Tornincasa @ Nick Tzallas on Apr 25, 2019 2:04 AM
    Unmark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Hi Nick,
    I believe what you're asking for is not possibile in the addin since there's no way to specify measurement results.
    Your idea is interesting, I would suggest you to open an enhancement request following this process:
    SOLIDWORKS Tech Tips – How to submit an Enhancement Request - YouTube
    
    There would be a couple of ways to accomplish your goal:
    1. Export the Inspection project to standalone application, and if you have Inspection professional input measurement results, and then create the report using the AS9102 - MXpert template
    2. Create an Excel macro that would add specified number of columns in a certain location
    3. As Matt suggested create a number of Excel templates with pre-defined fields (a template for 3 inspected pieces, one for 4 pieces, one for 5, etc.)
    
    Hope this helps.
    Alessandro
    Like • Show 2 Likes2
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    - Nick Tzallas @ Alessandro Tornincasa on Apr 25, 2019 2:31 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Thanks Alessandro TORNINCASA
      
      Enhancement request has been created
      1-21045205838
      I will just standby for Matthieu Fourcade feedback as well to confirm and then mark the correct answer
      Like • Show 1 Like1
      Actions
      - Mathieu Fourcade @ Nick Tzallas on Apr 26, 2019 4:34 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        What you could do is:
        
        have a custom property: number of lots
        Display that value somewhere in excel
        have a macro in excel to create columns based on this value
        Like • Show 2 Likes2
        Actions
        Nick Tzallas @ Mathieu Fourcade on Apr 28, 2019 6:40 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Ok, So just to clarify , this would mean adding an extra step.
        As I understand it, SW Inspection does not recognise Macro-enabled templates (.xltm), only 97-2003 Templates (.xlt) for report exports
        
        This would mean:
        Generate your inspection report as usual via inspection Standalone or Add-in
        Save the generated report as macro enabled excel (.xlsm)
        Add and run the macro to add x columns as per custom property "number of lots"
        Save to your final location and/or send to concerned party
        So there is no current way to do this all at once, whilst generating the inspection report.
        Also this would need to be done after any possible update or re-generation/re-exporting of the report.
        
        Thank you for the clarification.
        Like • Show 1 Like1
        Actions

Adding Columns automatically / Dynamically to Inspection Reports

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